The numbers are in for how Drake's VIEWS performed in its first week of sales, and they are staggering. Only a month after Kanye West's The Life of Pablo became the first record to ever top Billboard's 100 on the merit of streaming, VIEWS is primed to claim the top spot, having registered 250 million streams in six days, Republic Records revealed on Thursday (May 5). TLOP hadn't streamed 250 million times until 10 days after its release, giving Drake that distinction in nearly half the time. The U.S. was responsible for most of the play, accounting for 200 million of the streams tallied.

At a launch party for the record, last week, the 6 God claimed that the album had already sold 600,000 copies on the day of its release. Republic Records confirms that in the five days since, VIEWS has sold over 400,000 more copies, bringing the six day total (including streaming album equivalents) to 1.2 million, with a million of those being U.S. sales. Physical copies of the rapper's fourth studio project are set for release across retailers on Friday, May 6. On May 13, Apple Music loses exclusivity, at which point the album will become accessible via all streaming platforms.

Despite lukewarm reviews, the channels of distribution expanding here-forth can only signify even greater numbers in the coming weeks. Later this month Drizzy is scheduled to appear on Saturday Night Live, and an arena tour with Future awaits the Toronto rapper this summer. Until then there will be plenty of Drake time court side at the NBA Playoffs on TNT, and plenty more Drake from speakers at the red light and the supermarket.

Source: complex.com